Project Manager
Resume:
Mark Schaffer, CEP
Gretna, NE 68028
e-mail: **************@*******.***
SENIOR LAND Experience summary
USE/ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER
POWER Engineers Inc.
2000 - Present
EDUCATION Boise, ID and Anaheim CA
( B.S., GEOGRAPHY, ARIZONA
STATE UNIVERSITY, 1980 Currently provides environmental analysis,
(MAGNA CUM LAUDE) feasibility analysis, permitting, and land use
planning for power generation (fossil fuel,
( M.S., Industrial Hygiene, natural gas, hydroelectric, alternative and
Central Missouri State renewable energy systems), transmission and
University, 1995 (Summa Cum distribution (electrical and oil & gas),
Laude) transportation (surface), and industrial (mining
and manufacturing) projects. Conducted numerous
(>100) environmental impact assessments (CEQA,
specializations NEPA, etc.) addressing the topics of land
( ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT jurisdiction/ownership; existing land use; planned
ASSESSMENTS, PLANNING, AND land use; parks, recreation, and preservation;
PERMITTING transportation; socioeconomics; hazardous
waste/materials; air quality; and noise. Project
( Advanced Stakeholder involvement included project management,
Consultation with coordination, and/or technical evaluation.
Public and Government (IAP2)
HSE Consulting Group Inc./Terracon
1994 - 2000
( Environmental, Health and Omaha, NE
Safety Management
Responsible for projects involving environmental
( Environmental Due planning/permitting, industrial hygiene, air
Diligence - Phase I quality, and other services such as noise
& II Environmental Site assessments and hazardous waste
Assessments investigations/characterizations.
( Hazardous Waste HWS Consulting Group Inc.
Investigations/Char- 1988 - 1994
acterizations Lincoln, NE
Health and Safety Manager/Coordinator for 4
regional offices. In addition, provided health,
safety and environmental consulting services to
industrial, governmental and selected clients.
Services included data collection, analysis and
impact assessment of various transportation,
manufacturing and energy related projects as well
as projects concerning industrial, commercial and
residential land uses (Phase I and II site
assessments).
Wirth Associates/Dames & Moore
1979 - 1988
Phoenix, AZ/Denver, CO
Responsibilities included industrial facility
siting and permitting, feasibility and planning
studies, as well as multi-disciplinary
environmental impact assessments/studies and
regulatory review to ensure compliance with
current environmental legislation. Services also
included fiber optic cable and transmission line
routing, numerous energy and transportation
related feasibility and planning studies, as well
as multidisciplinary environmental impact
assessments and resource development projects.
Examples of representative projects include the
following:
Salt River Project, Coal-Fired Power Plant Siting
Study, Arizona (1983)
Land Use Analyst responsible for data collection
and compilation, and preparation of the
preliminary land use reports.
U.S. Sprint, Spokane to Fargo, Fiber Optic Cable
Studies, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota
(1985)
Land Use Analyst responsible for conducting the
land use, visual, and socioeconomic studies for US
Sprint Communications Company's Spokane,
Washington to Fargo, North Dakota fiber optic
cable project. Study spanned four states and
involved numerous federal, state, and private
jurisdictions in urban and rural environments.
Nevada Power Company, 500 kV Harry Allen-Mead EA,
Nevada (2001)
Land Use Specialist responsible for corridor
analysis of a 48-mile 500kV transmission line
between the Harry Allen and Mead substations.
Directly responsible for all components of
inventory and impact analysis. A siting study to
identify alternative routes was completed
initially and the EA was completed with BLM as the
lead federal agency and Western Area Power
Administration as a cooperating agency. Also
prepared a plan of development for construction,
operations, mitigation and monitoring procedures.
Nevada Power Company, 500 kV Crystal Substation
Expansion EA, Nevada (2001)
Land Use Specialist for a 33-acre expansion of a
500 kV substation near Las Vegas. Directly
responsible for all components of inventory and
impact analysis. In addition to the EA, the
project included endangered species surveys,
Biological Assessment and Section 7 consultation
for federally listed species, cultural surveys and
106 Consultation, Utility Environmental Protection
Act Permit from the Nevada Public Service
Commission and all other federal, state and local
permits. The findings of these services were used
to assess the impacts of the project in the EA.
The lead federal agency was the BLM. The EA was
completed in two months and went out for public
review in December 2001. A FONSI and Notice to
Proceed were obtained in January 2002.
Continental Energy Services, Silver Bow Project,
Montana (2002)
Land Use Planner responsible for land use analysis
and overall preparation of the draft and final
Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed
Silver Bow 500 MW natural gas generation facility.
Tasks included inventory, impact assessment and
subsequent mitigation planning. Provided services
for the development of a Montana Major Facility
Siting Act (MFSA) application for submittal to the
Montana Department of Environmental Quality. The
effort detailed the analysis of 100-plus miles of
pipeline expansion and related upgrades to fuel
the new facility. Resources analyzed included
wildlife, vegetation, land uses, visual impacts,
socioeconomics, air quality, cultural resources,
fisheries, water resources, wetlands, and noise.
Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Round
Up Power Project EIS, Montana (2002)
Land Use Specialist for preparing the draft and
final environmental impact statements for a 700 MW
coal-fired electric generation facility. Assisted
in the preparation of the EIS for the Montana
Department of Environmental Quality to meet
requirements of the Clean Air Act and the Montana
Environmental
Policy Act (MEPA). The project is a "mine-mouth"
operation with the existing coal mine being
assessed as part of the cumulative effects of the
project. The DEIS and FEIS were prepared within a
four-month time period to meet requirements of the
Montana Air Quality Permit's 180-day time limit
under MEPA.
Mines Management, Montanore Mine MFSA, Montana
(2005)
Environmental Specialist responsible for land use
inventory and impact analysis for a Montana Major
Facilities Siting Act application pertaining to a
new underground silver and copper mine in
northwestern Montana. The analysis included
biological, cultural, hydrological, and social
economic studies in a four-volume response
document.
Wind Hunter, LLC, Valley County Wind Energy
Project MFSA/ER/EA, Montana (2006)
Land Use Planner for the environmental planning
and permitting services for a planned 500 MW (170
MW approved) wind development in northern Montana.
Conducted resource studies and identified
alternative transmission line corridors and routes
to connect the generated power with regional
electrical delivery systems. From the resource
studies, conducted an environmental impact
evaluation of the proposed project and prepared
the Montana Major Facility Siting Act application
and Environmental Assessment for federal and state
agencies.
Nevada Power Company, East Valley Master Plan
Route Study, Nevada (2007)
Land Use Coordinator for a routing/siting study to
determine the feasibility of a series of
transmission upgrades to Nevada Power's system.
The upgrades were part of NPC's plan to add 3500
MW of generation capacity in the East Valley. The
study assessed and evaluated the regulatory,
environmental, electrical, construction,
engineering, and cost feasibility for the
transmission upgrades. The route study report
described the line segments and substation
upgrades needed to accomodate the new capacity.
The report provided the results of line routing
and substation siting; estimated the costs of
securing rights of way, engineering and installing
each of line segments and substations studied; and
ranked each alternative based on environmental,
constructability and cost factors.
NorthWestern Energy, Mountain States Transmission
Intertie Siting Study, Montana, Idaho (2008)
Land Use Planner for the corridor analysis for a
proposed new 500 kV transmission line from
Townsend, Montana, to southwestern Idaho. The
project's scope included data collection,
sensitivity analysis and mapping; alternative
corridor identification and route comparison;
preferred route identification permitting
analysis; and a siting study report. The project
involved coordination with Montana and Idaho field
offices of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM),
five national forests under U.S. Forest Service
(USFS) management, and various Montana and Idaho
State agencies. The planned line will be
approximately 390 miles long. A corridor analysis
and preliminary engineering assisted the utility
in selecting a preferred route and substation
site.
Babcock & Brown Renewable Holdings, Inc.,
Wessington Springs Wind Project, South Dakota
(2008)
Land Use Coordinator for the environmental
assessment evaluating the construction of a new
wind turbine electrical generation facility in
south-central Jerauld County, South Dakota. The
Wessington Springs Wind Project, as proposed,
would consist of a 51-megawatt wind energy
development with 34 wind turbine generators, new
and improved roads, an operations and maintenance
building, a 34.5-kilovolt underground collection
system, a collector substation, an interconnect
substation next to an existing Western Area
Power Administration (Western) 230kV transmission
line, and a fiber optic communication system
connecting the interconnect substation to an
existing communications tower. Western is the
lead agency, while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) is a cooperating agency.
City of Riverside, Energy Resource Center
Environmental Services, California (2008)
Land Use Specialist responsible for participating
in studies used to develop the Mitigated Negative
Declaration, including current uses, planned
adjacent land use, and assessing potential impacts
from the generation project. Assisted in
preparation of an Application for a Small Power
Plant Exemption (SPPE) for the California Energy
Commission (CEC) in a successful effort to obtain
a Mitigated Negative Declaration under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
regulations.
NorthWestern Energy, Lewis and Clark Pipeline Loop
EA, Montana (2009)
Environmental Planner for an EA under NEPA to
obtain a special use permit for a 10 mile, 12 inch
natural gas pipeline through the Lewis and Clark
National Forest and Flathead National Forest
adjacent to the Glacier National Park. Responsible
for determining construction permit requirements.
A full range of services for the EA was conducted,
including resource analyses for wetlands,
endangered species, cultural resource, and
biological resource studies, and a Biological
Assessment to comply with Section 7 requirements
of the Endangered Species Act. The Lewis and Clark
National Forest was the lead federal agency.
Coopeguanacaste R.L.,
Nuevo-Colon-Tamarindo-Guayablal 230 kV Line &
Station, Costa Rica (2009)
Environmental Planner responsible for the land use
permitting of an ESiA for a new transmission line
for the Costa Rican national utility. The project
included a siting study, preferred route selection
process, public and community meetings, and an
environmental analysis for a 60 km 230 kV
transmission line serving the growing resort area
of Tamarindo. Issues identified include existing
land uses, protected tree species, sensitive
species migration corridors, wetlands, flood-prone
areas and visual impacts.
Confidential Clients, Wind and Solar Projects,
California (2009-Present)
Environmental Planner for the preparation of BLM
EIS and EAs, CEQA (Initial Studies), and County
(Conditional Use Permits) for various wind and
non-gas/water photovoltaic projects.
Bureau of Land Management, Haiwee Geothermal
Leasing Area Environmental Impact Statement,
California (2010)
Lead Environmental Planner for a BLM Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) which is being prepared to
analyze the proposed leasing of approximately
22,060 acres of BLM-managed public lands for
geothermal exploration, development, and
utilization in the Haiwee Geothermal Leasing Area
located in Inyo County, California. The leasing of
public lands for geothermal resources will require
an amendment to the California Desert Conservation
Area (CDCA) Plan of 1980. Responsibilities
include a determination of the impact on lands and
realty, public health and safety, energy and
minerals, wild horses and burros, livestock
grazing, and recreation.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Barren
Ridge EIS/EIR, California (2010 - 2013)
Lead Land Use Resource Specialist responsible for
land use and recreation resources to analyze the
impacts of the 230 kV transmission upgrade project
for a joint federal and state EIS/EIR under NEPA
and CEQA. The project would provide the City with
access to wind- and solar-generated power in the
Tehachapi Mountain and Mojave Desert areas of
southern California. It would improve system
reliability and help the City meet its Renewable
Portfolio Standard obligations mandated by the
State of California and the City of Los Angeles.
The project includes new and upgraded double
circuit lines over a distance of 200 miles.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Barren
Ridge EIS/EIR, California (2010 - 2013)
Lead Land Use Resource Specialist responsible for
land use and recreation resources to analyze the
impacts of the 230 kV transmission upgrade project
for a joint federal and state EIS/EIR under NEPA
and CEQA. The project would provide the City with
access to wind- and solar-generated power in the
Tehachapi Mountain and Mojave Desert areas of
southern California. It would improve system
reliability and help the City meet its Renewable
Portfolio Standard obligations mandated by the
State of California and the City of Los Angeles.
The project includes new and upgraded double
circuit lines over a distance of 200 miles.
Riverside Public Utilities, Riverside Transmission
Reliability Project Environmental Impact Report
(EIR), California (2011 - 2013)
Lead Land Use Specialist responsible for the land
use inventory and impact analysis for an
Environmental Impact Report. Provided
environmental and permitting services for a major
upgrade to the City of Riverside's electric
delivery system. Conducted a siting study to
identify alternative routes for 230 kV and 69 kV
transmission lines and assisted in preparation of
an EIR under the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA). The Project included public hearing
meetings, urban line siting, and the CEQA Initial
Study.
Clean Line Energy Partners, Centennial West
Environmental, Multiple States (2011- 2012)
Lead Land Use Resource Specialist responsible for
land use analysis involving evaluating and
identifying transmission line alternatives for
subsequent detailed assessment. The Centennial
West Clean Line Project is a high-voltage ( 500
kV or 600 kV) direct current (DC) transmission
line that will gather renewable energy from
generation projects in eastern New Mexico and
surrounding areas, and transmit it to load centers
in the Southwest, especially California. Conducted
siting studies to develop preliminary routes to be
carried forward into public scoping for the NEPA
process. The siting study involved identifying
alternative routes and converter station
locations, detailed environmental studies for key
resources and regulatory compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act and other
applicable federal, state, and local resources for
700 to 900 miles of new HVDC transmission line and
converter stations.
Nebraska Public Power District, Grid Essentials
Projects, Nebraska (2012 - 2013)
Acting as an extension of the NPPD staff, provided
full-service consulting and management support,
including project and contract management; siting,
public involvement, environmental resource
studies, and analysis. Projects included the 345
kV Axtell-Kansas, 115 kV South Sioux City, and 115
kV Broken Bow Wind Farm.
Nebraska Public Power District, R-Project -
Gentleman Station to Holt County 345 kV
Transmission Line, Nebraska (2013 - 2014)
Environmental Planner responsible for land use
analysis. Directly responsible for all components
of inventory and impact analysis. NPPD plans to
construct a 220-mile single-circuit 345 kV
transmission line from their Gerald Gentleman
Station to a tie-in with a Western Area Power
Administration 345 kV transmission line. Provided
environmental studies, routing, permitting, agency
coordination, and public relations support.
Currently working with NPPD to support a scheduled
completion in January 2018.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Sylmar
Ground Return System (SGRS) Replacement Project
EIR, California (2013 - 2014)
Land Use Coordinator. LADWP is proposing to
replace the existing underground and marine
electrical cables and the existing marine
electrode portions of the SGRS. Assisted with
LADWP to prepare a Draft EIR, and supporting
technical studies. Key issues focused on
construction-related impacts to traffic, noise,
and air quality in western Los Angeles and Santa
Monica and to the marine environment in Santa
Monica Bay.
Renewable Resources Group, Palo Verde Mesa Solar,
California (2013 - 2014)
Environmental Planner working with Renewable
Resources Group and Riverside County to prepare an
EIR for a 486 MW photovoltaic solar project that
will include collector substations, O&M buildings
and a 14.7 mile long 230 kV transmission line
connecting to an existing substation. The project
site and transmission right-of-way contain
approximately 3,400 acres. A portion of the 230 kV
transmission line is on federal land managed by
the BLM. Provided assistance in all phases of the
environmental process, including the Notice of
Preparation, scoping meetings, technical studies,
and preparation of draft and final EIRs.
Duke Energy/American Transmission Company, Zephyr
500 kV Transmission Line, Multiple States (2013)
Project Manager responsible for performing Owner's
Engineer role for the Zephyr Power Transmission
Project, a proposed transmission line to deliver
wind energy development in eastern Wyoming to
communities in the southwestern U.S. The proposed
line is 850 miles long, 500 kV DC transmission
line. Performed preliminary engineering and
routing assessment, cost estimates, and
participated in more than a dozen public
information meetings.
Nebraska Public Power District, Stegall to
Scottsbluff 115 kV Transmission Line, Nebraska
(2014)
Environmental Planner responsible for land use
analysis. Directly responsible for all components
of inventory and impact analysis. NPPD plans to
construct a 115 kV electric transmission line from
the existing Scottsbluff Substation to a new
substation to be built approximately five miles
south of Stegall near the existing Stegall
Substation owned by Basin Electric Power
Cooperative. The approximate 23-mile transmission
line will enhance transmission system reliability
in the western Nebraska Panhandle region. The new
line will also meet the North American Electric
Reliability Corporation's Reliability Standards
for the western Nebraska area. The line is
expected to be in service by mid-2017.
Nebraska Public Power District, Keystone XL
Pipeline 115 kV Transmission Lines, Nebraska
(2014)
Environmental Planner responsible for land use
analysis for Pump Station 23 (approximately 3
miles) and Pump Station 24 (approximately 15-16
miles). Directly responsible for all components of
inventory and impact analysis. NPPD has plans to
construct three 115 kV transmission lines in
central Nebraska to support pumping stations for a
crude oil pipeline being built by TransCanada, an
international transporter and marketer of
energy-related products in Canada and the United
States. The new lines will provide electric energy
to three NPPD wholesale customers-Niobrara Valley
EMC, Loup Valleys RPPD and Southern Power
District-who will in turn, serve the needs of the
new TransCanada pumping stations. The project will
also ensure the continued reliable operation of
the electric system for NPPD's wholesale customers
in the area. Final routes of the three new
transmission lines were determined after a
thorough siting study and a comprehensive public
involvement process.
TransWest Express, 600 kV HVDC Transmission Line,
Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada (2014)
Provided Owner's Engineer services for the
project, including preliminary engineering to
support project development and engineering
support to the routing, siting and environmental
permitting. The project is 725 miles of 600 kV
HVDC transmission line capable of transmitting
3,000 MW of wind generation from south central
Wyoming to south of Las Vegas.
PacifiCorp, Vantage - Pomona Heights 230 kV
Transmission Line EIS, Washington (2014)
Conducted agency coordination, identified federal,
state and local permitting requirements, analyzed
impacts and developed mitigation measures for
route alternatives crossing BLM, Bureau of
Reclamation, U.S. Army Yakima Training Center
(YTC) lands and private lands. Permitting will
include the NEPA EIS and a Washington SEPA
checklist. Provided for public outreach.
Cooperating agencies are YTC, Bureau of
Reclamation, BPA, Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife, Yakima County and Grant County. The
60-mile line will feature a crossing of the
Columbia River.
Minnesota Power, Great Northern 500 kV
Transmission Line, Minnesota (2014)
Project Manager responsible for the review of the
Route Permit Application for the Great Northern
500 kV Transmission Line.
Northwestern Energy, Columbus Rapelje - Chrome
Junction 100 kV Transmission Line Project
Environmental Report, Montana (2014)
Lead Land Use Planner for NorthWestern Energy's
(NWE) Columbus Rapelje - Chrome Junction 100 kV
Transmission Line Project. The proposed project
will connect NWE's existing Columbus Rapelje
Substation located approximately 15 miles north of
Columbus, Montana to a new substation that will be
located near Nye, Montana. The project is
approximately 53.1 miles in length. For several
years, there have been low voltage and voltage
collapse issues in the Columbus, Red Lodge, and
Stillwater Mine areas of NWE's electric
transmission system.
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